Best answer: No, the PS5 Digital Edition cannot play discs of any kind since it doesn’t have a disc drive. If you want to use discs with your PS5, you’ll need to get the regular console that has a disc drive and supports disc-based media.
- Preorder: PS5 (See at Amazon)
What is the PS5 Digital Edition?
Like its name suggests, the PS5 Digital Edition is a PS5 model that cannot play disc-based media of any kind since it completely lacks a disc drive. Instead, any games you’d like to play will need to be downloaded directly to its solid-state drive (SSD) for storage. This also means it won’t be able to play any 4K Blu-ray discs or DVDs.
Other than the removal of its disc drive, Sony’s Jim Ryan said that both consoles are identical in an interview with CNET.
As you saw, there is a small difference in the form factor of the two consoles. I’m sure you also observed, the basic design aesthetic is consistent between them. So there is that and the fact that the digital edition does not have a disk drive. That is it. Other than that, they are identical products.
That means you’re getting the exact same product, barring the disc drive, with the exact same specs. The PS5 features an 825GB SSD and runs at 10.28 TFLOPS (variable) at 2.23 GHz with a Custom RDNA 2 GPU. The PS5 Digital Edition will also probably cost less, but Sony has not revealed the price of either console.
Is there any way to get the PS5 Digital Edition to play discs?
It doesn’t seem so. While there are external disc drives that can be used over USB on the market, Sony gave no indication that the PS5 Digital Edition would support these. If you buy a PS5 Digital Edition with the intent to heavily mod it to regain this compatibility, you may be out of luck.
Which PS5 should I buy if I want to use discs?
From what Sony has announced, only the regular PS5 will be able to play discs. As opposed to its slightly slimmer digital counterpart, the PS5 does have a disc drive for games, 4K Blu-ray, and DVDs.
Waiting for November 12
PlayStation 5
See PS5 at Amazon
See PS5 Digital Edition at Amazon
See PS5 at Best Buy
See PS5 Digital Edition at Best Buy
Get your hands on it before it sells out
The PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition are now available to pre-order from your favorite retailers. With two versions to choose from, you’ll be able to pick which best suits your budget. PS5 is the place to be for next-gen exclusives like Spider-Man and Horizon Forbidden West. Get yours before they sell out.
PlayStation 5
- PlayStation 5: Everything we know so far
- PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: How they compare
- PS5 Specs: What’s in the next-gen PlayStation
- Will PS4 games work on the PlayStation 5?
